One of the products we offer investment-seeking institutions (only non-profits for now) in the developing world is our globally recognized “Certification of Anti-Corruption”. Transparency Solutions was founded to lift the fog that surrounds global investment towards emerging markets, and to recognize and unlock the investment potential of transparent and accountable organizations.

We want YOUR help and participation in drafting our Standards of Transparency and Accountability. These standards will be turned into a contract that organizations will sign prior to receiving the seal, which can be placed on their website and/or solicitation materials. So here’s how YOU can help!

1. Leave comments to tell us what you think! If there is something you don’t like, “criticize by creating” — give us a suggestion on how to change it!
2. Share this page with your friends and colleagues and get them involved!

We will continually update the page to keep up with your comments!

Program Implementation

Application for Certification

The “Certification of Anti-Corruption” will be made available to non-profit organizations in countries where International Transparency Solutions has local operations. The organization may apply for certification by completing a survey to ensure compliance with the standards outlined below. Local Transparency Professionals will then conduct an on-site assessment to ensure the validity and accuracy of the information provided.

Payment Schedule

Once the organization has been approved by International Transparency Solutions, it will pay either a 6-month or 12-month advance of $15/month. This is to ensure the organization is invested in upholding the standards represented by the Certification of Anti-Corruption.

Post-Approval Relationship w/ Transparency Solutions

Certified Organizations will receive a unique embed code to place the seal on their website. This seal will link to a page on the Transparency Solutions website that lists relevant information about the organization and allows for verification of authenticity.

Certification eligibility will remain contingent on the organization’s compliance with the below mentioned standards and their full and transparent cooperation with International Transparency Solutions. Certified Organizations are subject to random audit. Transparency Solutions reserves the right to revoke an organization’s Certification if:

• The organization fails to maintain the standards listed below
• The organization fails to cooperate with our local Transparency Professionals

Standards of Transparency and Accountability

[Note: The Standards below were developed from the Better Business Bureau's "Charity Accountability Standards", which they apply to US charities in their "Wise Giving Alliance". We wish to build on their extensive research and develop a set of standards we can apply worldwide to non-profits in the developing world.]

Governance and Oversight

Certified Organizations should have a volunteer governing board (eg. Board of Directors) serving as the ultimate oversight authority. This board should be active, independent, and free of self-serving interests. It should consist of a minimum five (5) voting members.

Annual Meetings

The Board should hold a minimum of three (3) annual meetings, convening the full governing body with a majority attendance. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meeting of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities and those living abroad.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) may serve as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board’s chair or treasurer.

No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors considered include, but are not limited to:

1. Arm’s length procedures established by the charity
2. Size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity
3. Whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction
4. If competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time or recurring

Adequate Oversight

The following must be documented and agreed upon by the governing body:

1. Regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO or Director’s performance
2. Evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget and fundraising practices
3. Establishment of a “Conflict of Interest” policy
4. Establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances

Fiscal Responsibility / Measuring Effectiveness

Transparency Solutions wishes to ensure the charity spends funds honestly, prudently, and in accordance with statements made in fundraising appeals.

1. Organization should spend at least 65% of total expenses on program activities
2. Organization should spend no less that 35% of related contributions on fundraising (Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as the result of fundraising efforts).
3. Organization should avoid the accumulation of funds. Unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than 3x the size of the past year’s expenses or 3x the size of the current year’s budget, whichever is higher.

An organization that does not meet the three aforementioned standards may provide evidence to demonstrate that its use of funds is reasonable.

Self-Assessment of Organization Effectiveness

The organization should regularly assess its effectiveness in achieving its mission. Needs should be defined, measurable goals and objectives in place, and a defined process in place to evaluate the success and impact of programs in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the organization.

An assessment of the organization’s performance and effectiveness should be conducted no less than every two (2) years. This should culminate in a report submitted to the organization’s governing body for approval.

Fundraising Practices

This is the ensure that a charity’s representations to the public are accurate, complete, and respectful.

Solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, must be accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard.

Organization must be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied by the organization’s solicitations.

Transparency and Cooperation

The following should be made available to all upon request:

Annual Report, including:

• Organization’s Mission Statement
• Summary of Past Year’s Program Service Accomplishments
• Roster of the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors
• Financial Information, including:
  • Total income in the past fiscal year
  • Expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrating categories
  • Ending Net Assets

Complete Annual Financial Statement

Prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

If annual gross income exceeds $250,000 – statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. If less, a review by a certified public accountant (CPA) is sufficient to meet this standard. For organizations with an annual gross income less than $100,000 – an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Breakdown of Expenses (Eg. Salaries, travel, postage, etc.)

Should show what portion of these expenses was allocated to programming, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

Board Approved Annual Budget for Current Fiscal Year

Outlines projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

Statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstates the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

Donor/Investor Privacy Policy

Organization should have a clear, prominent, and easily accessible Privacy Policy. Should include:

• What information, if any, is being collected about donors and how this information is used
• How to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections
• How to inform the charity that the donor does not want his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization
• What security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information

Relationship With International Transparency Solutions

All documents and reports outlined in this agreement must be presented to International Transparency Solutions upon publication. Furthermore, the Certified Organization must respond promptly to and act upon complaints brought to its attention by Transparency Solutions.